LEGUMIN0S3J-MM0SE3!. 53 



the Antilles, the Smaller Algarobe, Algaroville or Cashew, which yields 

 a certain amount of gum on incision, unci whose fruits serve 

 fodder. 1 Again, the fruits of many species of Inga, Pithecolobium, 

 Leuccena, &c, are also cited as food stuffs. 2 



It has, however, been remarked that dangerous acrid principles may 

 here and there occur mixed with the nutritive substances in these fruits 

 or seeds. Thus P. iuliflora itself may become deleterious under certain 

 circumstances. 3 The seeds of Entada scandal are used as emetics in 

 India and Java. Several Mimosas are purgative, and the pulp of 

 Inga vera' is a laxative. By distilling the bark of Acacia ferruginea* 

 and leucop/i/cea 6 with the sweet juice of the Palms a poisonous fer- 

 mentible liquor is obtained in India. The root of several Brazilian 

 Mimosas is venomous, and that of M. pudica, of disagreeable scent, 

 is an irritant. The powdered seed of M. acaciodes Benth. is used 

 in Gruiana as a sternutatory. It is no doubt a similar virtue which 

 makes the Moucenna! of Abyssinia so excellent a remedy for worms, 

 and especially tapeworms. It is the bark of A. antfteZminlhica 3 which 

 has this quality, analogous to that of Kousso, though it would seem 

 more marked ; for in Abyssinia Moucenna is regarded as of more 

 certain action, invariably killing the tapeworm, of which Kousso 

 often expels a portion only. 9 



Astringency is one of the most marked qualities of the Mimosece, 



1 As useful as the cereals, according to Mac- s Besenna anthelminthica A. Rich., T, 

 tadyen (Fl. Jam., i. 312). Fl. Abyss., i. 253. — Albizzia anthelminthica 



2 See Rosenth., op. cit., 1063-1065. — This Ad. Bb., in Bull. Soc. Bot. de Fr., vii. 902.— 

 is especially the case with Bithecolobium dulce Foukn., Des. Tenif. empl. e,i Ahyss., Theses de 

 Benth:., salutare Benth., and parvifolium Bar. (1861), 37; in Aim. Sc. Nat., sit. I. \iv. 

 Benth., Inga edulis Mart., swpida H. B. K„ 3S0, 1. 14.— Moq., Bot. Med., 145.— H. Bn., in 

 duleis Mart., punctata W., etc. Bid. Fncycl. des Sc. Medic., ii. 116. 



3 According to Macfadyen it is after rain 9 Moucenna, on the contrary, reduces tbe 

 has moistened the seeds, so that they germinate worm to a sort of pulp, and is considered m 

 and evolve carbonic acid iu the stomachs of the Abyssinia of more powerful action than Kousso ; 

 cattle. but the latter is employed in preference because 



4 W., Spec, iv. 1014. — DC, Brodr., n. 18. the people do not wish as a rule to get rid of 

 — Mimosa Inga L., Spec, 1493 (see Rosenth., the tapeworm completely. Tbe powdered bark 

 op. cit., 1064). is employed in doses of about sixty grammes. 



5 DC, op. cit., 458, n. 105. — H. Bn., loc This bark is from 2 to 5 millimetres thick, 

 cit., 107, n. 16. — 3Iimosa ferruginea Roxb., smooth or cracked, greyish outside, and pale 

 Fl. hid., ii. 561. yellow within. Its taste is first sweet, then 



6 W., Spec, iv. 1063. — DC, loc. cit., 462, astringent, and finally nauseous. From the 

 n. 12. — H. Bn., loc cit., 113, n. 25. This bark an extract has been prepared, which has 

 species has been supposed to produce the gum sometimes been found useful. The bark of the 

 Kutera (now referred by Guibourt, op. cit., large branches is supposed to be the more active. 

 iii. 421), to one of the Cactacea or Ficoidea. From this drug bus been extracted a very sapid 



7 Or Abousenna, Boucenna, Bessenna, Me- acrid acid greyish resin soluble in ammonia. 

 senna, Mussena ; the Bicinna of Tigre and The results of the administration of .1/ 



' Kumada of Savva. in Europe are very contradictory . 



